THE STUDY OF INFANT—ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION: SOME COMMENTS ON TRENDS AND METHODOLOGIES

This paper has pointed out some of the issues, difficulties and hopes involved in the research into the area of infant–environment interaction. A short exposition of the meaning of basic concepts of “interaction”, “infant” and “environment” was given. Viewing infant–environment research in perspective reveals a basic misunderstanding of the concept of “interaction” in its typical interpretation as the‐impact‐of‐environment‐on‐infant, or the more recent interpretation as the‐impact‐of‐infant‐on‐environment. This misunderstanding holds both for studies investigating the social environment (mother, foster‐parents, caretakers) as well as the non‐social environment (isolation, enrichment, mobiles). Four different research models were reviewed and some of their differences, contributions and limitations pointed out. Finally, some new developments were discussed that seem to indicate a somewhat more sophisticated approach to this area of research. Whether these advances will yield a better understanding of the complexities of infant–environment interaction and its effects on infant (and parental) development is still an open question.